James Harden calls 2017-18 Rockets the best team he's ever played on

James Harden and Chris Paul are getting ready for the new era of Houston Rockets basketball with a big matchup against the Golden State Warriors. Both teams are top-tier squads in the Western Conference and each have significant star power. One of the reasons for the Rockets’ optimism entering this season is the addition of Paul. While some had doubts about Paul’s fit – and the injury that kept Paul out for most of the preseason hurt – Harden has no worries about how they’ll co-exist.

“It’s good,” Harden began. “We’ve been hanging out a lot off the court so that’s a good thing. On the court, that’s going to take time. It’s going to be a lot of adjusting. We’re two very smart and unselfish players, it’ll work itself out.”

Harden is set to begin his ninth season in the league and thinks this year’s team is the best he’s ever been on. Keep in mind, Harden played on a team that had fellow perennial MVP-candidates Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant back in Oklahoma City. That team made it to the NBA Finals, but wound up falling to the Miami Heat (many blame their youth and lack of experience). Harden was traded following that series and he’s been a superstar in Houston ever since.

(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images).

“Yeah. Obviously, the Oklahoma City team was very, very talented but, from top-to-bottom, this team is really deep,” Harden said after being asked whether this team was the best he’s been on. “We had a chance last year [for 60 wins], but we hit a hole after the All-Star break and we got kind of complacent. Sixty wins would be great for us; it’ll give us a top-two seed in the West and some momentum, hopefully, heading into the postseason. We’ve got to find our identity and that’s definitely going to be defensively. Offensively, we can score with the best of them. Defensively, when we find our rhythm and get to it, we give ourselves the best chance.”

Harden really seems to love the city of Houston and the way the organization has taken care of him. After OKC dealt him, he’s been the Rockets’ top-priority and Daryl Morey and Co. have done a great job of surrounding him with talent.

“I’m enjoying it, especially because of this organization. They make me want to come to work every single day and be the best person I could be, be the best player I could be,” he said. “From the top-to-bottom, the coaching staff, the players, even the video guys and trainers, I’m in the best place of my life that I’ve been and we’ll see where that takes me.”

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